PORTSMOUTH — Managing the town’s finances, preparing for a possible school construction bond, addressing infrastructure needs and keeping the town’s new trash programs financially stable are among Town Administrator Richard Rainer Jr.’s priorities for the coming year.

The town council voted 7-0 Sept. 28 to approve Rainer’s goals for 2026-27, a seven-part work plan covering finances, school capital projects, infrastructure, solid waste, staffing, comprehensive-plan priorities and communication with the council and public.

Among the financial goals are preparing a balanced fiscal 2028 budget within the state’s tax-levy cap and developing a five-year financial outlook that accounts for school debt, inflation, pensions, health insurance and labor contracts.

The administration will also develop a borrowing strategy to accommodate the proposed school capital program should voters approve up to $41 million in bonding in November.

Infrastructure priorities include continued road paving and vehicle replacement; drainage, stormwater, recreation and resiliency projects; planning for the future of the town-owned “3S” property; and studying long-term capital needs for public safety facilities.

Rainer is also tasked with developing options and costs for maintaining public safety operations on Prudence Island.

Another goal calls for continued monitoring of participation, revenue and expenses in the town’s curbside trash and transfer station programs, with an eye toward controlling costs and stabilizing fees.

Councilor Mary McDowell asked that the goals be amended to specifically include the use of concrete data in evaluating the programs, as well as development of a payment option that would allow residents to pay fees over time. Rainer agreed to both additions.

The town also faces negotiations on new contracts with the firefighters union and Portsmouth Municipal Employees Association. Both agreements expire June 30, 2027.

Nearly $280,000 for roads

Portsmouth will be eligible for up to $279,265.71 in state funding for road rehabilitation under a separate agreement unanimously approved by the council.

The money comes through RhodeRestore, a state program that provides funding for municipal transportation projects. The state will reimburse Portsmouth for 33 percent of eligible project costs, up to the $279,265.71 maximum.

Portsmouth will be responsible for project design, construction and administration, as well as costs exceeding the state’s share. Work covered by the agreement must be completed before Oct. 31, 2029.

Public Works Director Paul Rodrigues said council approval was necessary for the town to enter into the agreement and move forward with the funding.

Trash participation steady

In his regular update to the council, Rainer reported that 3,208 households had signed up for curbside trash collection as of Sept. 25, while 1,982 were enrolled at the Hedly Street transfer station.

Those figures are generally in line with participation levels seen under the previous year’s programs, when curbside enrollment settled at roughly 3,200 households and Hedly Street participation hovered around 2,000.

Rainer reminded residents that the transfer station will be closed Monday, Oct. 12, for Columbus Day, and curbside collection will be delayed one day that week. The Hedly Street facility will also be closed Wednesday, Oct. 14.

Semi-weekly curbside collection of yard waste and weekly collection will begin during the last week of October and continue through the second week of December.

New mooring vendor approved

A&R Marine Construction Inc. was unanimously added to Portsmouth’s approved list of mooring vendors.

Police Chief Brian Peters said the company had already been approved by the harbormaster and harbor commission. There were 13 approved vendors before A&R was added.

Other business

The council unanimously approved bylaws for the Bike & Pedestrian Advisory Committee and voted to receive and place on file the monthly finance report.

It also accepted, with regret, Carol L. Mello’s resignation from the harbor commission and unanimously reappointed Peter Tyler-Witek as youth representative to the Economic Development Committee.

Rainer announced that Town Hall will be closed Oct. 12 and reminded residents that early voting begins Oct. 14.

He also announced a Newport County Prevention Coalition panel discussion on kratom, scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 27, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Green Valley. Advance registration is required.

Rainer also noted the death of former Portsmouth Finance Director Jim Lathrop, 62, who was serving as finance director when Rainer joined the town administration.